Police Investigate Alleged Sex Attack In Little Italy

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NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) — Police are investigating an alleged sex attack in a popular tourist spot.

A man apparently preyed on a sleeping mother in the middle of the night, CBS 2’s Tracee Carrasco reported.

On Monday night, police were on the hunt for the suspect who broke into an apartment building in the heart of Little Italy on Mulberry street and raped a woman as her unsuspecting child slept next to her.

The crime scene unit was investigating the claim that the woman woke around 3:30 a.m. to find a man armed with a knife standing over her inside of her bedroom.

The man allegedly threatened to hurt her if she did not comply with his orders. The man assaulted the victim and left out the front door, according to the woman.

One woman told 1010 WINS reporter Gary Baumgarten that the building has always been safe.

“My husband’s family owns this building and there’s been no incidents since, I don’t know how long they’ve owned it, years and years and years,” she said.

Word of the terrifying crime has many residents concerned.

Police are looking for this man in connection with a rape in Little Italy on Nov. 11, 2013. (credit: NYPD)

“It could happen anywhere,” Danielle Dittus said.

The victim did not have any signs of physical injuries but was taken to a hospital, police said.

Police released a sketch of the suspect Monday night. He is described as a black man 25 to 30 years old; standing 5 feet, 9 inches to 6 feet tall; and having a muscular build. He was wearing a black leather jacket, black jeans, a black T-shirt and black shoes.

Police were checking surveillance cameras in the area to see what they could find.